There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn’t true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true. —Soren Kierkegaard. "…truth is true even if nobody believes it, and falsehood is false even if everybody believes it. That is why truth does not yield to opinion, fashion, numbers, office, or sincerity–it is simply true and that is the end of it" – Os Guinness, Time for Truth, pg.39. “He that takes truth for his guide, and duty for his end, may safely trust to God’s providence to lead him aright.” – Blaise Pascal. "There is but one straight course, and that is to seek truth and pursue it steadily" – George Washington letter to Edmund Randolph — 1795. We live in a “post-truth” world. According to the dictionary, “post-truth” means, “relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.” Simply put, we now live in a culture that seems to value experience and emotion more than truth. Truth will never go away no matter how hard one might wish. Going beyond the MSM idealogical opinion/bias and their low information tabloid reality show news with a distractional superficial focus on entertainment, sensationalism, emotionalism and activist reporting – this blogs goal is to, in some small way, put a plug in the broken dam of truth and save as many as possible from the consequences—temporal and eternal. "The further a society drifts from truth, the more it will hate those who speak it." – George Orwell “There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn’t true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true.” ― Soren Kierkegaard
Everything we need is found in Jesus Christ, the Son of God—and I think it is fair to say that we can never use all of the spiritual power and victory He is able to provide. He is all the guilty sinner needs and He is more than the fondest expectations of the loftiest saint!
If we are going to stand up for Jesus, it is good for us to remember how strong He is—and how weak we are! I settled this long ago. I tell you I have talked to God more than I have talked to anyone else and my conferences with Him have been longer than with anyone else.
I have told Him: “Now, Lord, if I say what I know in my heart I should say, and if I do what I know I should do, I will be in trouble with people and with groups.”
Then after praying more, I have said: “Almighty Lord, I accept this with my eyes open! I will not run. I will not hide. I will dare to stand up because I am on your side and I know that when I am weak, then I am strong!”
So, I don’t let anyone praise me and I try not to pay attention to those who would blame me, for I am only a servant of the holiest man that ever walked the streets of Jerusalem—and they called Him a devil!
This is how I have learned to stand fast for Christ, and for all that He is to His own!1
The believer is a new creature, he belongs to a holy generation and a peculiar people—the Spirit of God is in him, and in all respects he is far removed from the natural man; but for all that the Christian is a sinner still. He is so from the imperfection of his nature, and will continue so to the end of his earthly life. The black fingers of sin leave smuts upon our fairest robes. Sin mars our repentance, ere the great Potter has finished it, upon the wheel. Selfishness defiles our tears, and unbelief tampers with our faith. The best thing we ever did apart from the merit of Jesus only swelled the number of our sins; for when we have been most pure in our own sight, yet, like the heavens, we are not pure in God’s sight; and as he charged his angels with folly, much more must he charge us with it, even in our most angelic frames of mind. The song which thrills to heaven, and seeks to emulate seraphic strains, hath human discords in it. The prayer which moves the arm of God is still a bruised and battered prayer, and only moves that arm because the sinless One, the great Mediator, has stepped in to take away the sin of our supplication. The most golden faith or the purest degree of sanctification to which a Christian ever attained on earth, has still so much alloy in it as to be only worthy of the flames, in itself considered. Every night we look in the glass we see a sinner, and had need confess, “We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” Oh, how precious the blood of Christ to such hearts as ours! How priceless a gift is his perfect righteousness! And how bright the hope of perfect holiness hereafter! Even now, though sin dwells in us, its power is broken. It has no dominion; it is a broken-backed snake; we are in bitter conflict with it, but it is with a vanquished foe that we have to deal. Yet a little while and we shall enter victoriously into the city where nothing defileth.1
AND the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. (There was need of such liberality, for the Christians were mostly poor, and liable to be deprived of everything by persecution. Covetous men would have been very uncomfortable in the early church, indeed they are not fit to be in any church at any time.)
33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
34, 35 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles’ feet; and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. (Thus when Jerusalem was destroyed and Judea devastated, the Christians had the less to lose, and the less sorrow in being scattered abroad.)
36, 37 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. (Yet while some were acting so nobly there were tares among the wheat, professed disciples who could act the liar’s part.)
Acts 5:1–14
BUT a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. (Intending to make others believe that he had given all, as Barnabas had done. He was not required to give all unless he chose to do so, his sin lay in pretending to be more generous than he really was.)
3, 4 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
This was the first act of divine church discipline, a discipline which is still carried out by him who walks among the golden candlesticks. On account of church sins even now some are sickly among us, and many sleep. The nearer we come to God the more truly shall we find that he is a jealous God who will not wink at sin. It was not Peter’s word, but the judgment of God, which slew Ananias.
6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
7, 8 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
She had time for reflection, yet she stuck to the falsehood. It is a sad thing when husband and wife go hand in hand to hell, and most of all so when they make a profession of religion.
11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. (Well may such fear fall on us also, lest we should be found false to God, and perish in our sin.)
12 ¶ And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.
13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.
14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
The chaff was driven out, and kept out, but the true saints were all the more ready to join the church. Holy discipline does not diminish the church, it is the sure means of increasing it with the right people.1
My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. (2:1)
James prefaces this command by addressing readers as my brethren, indicating that he is speaking out of love and as a fellow believer and brother in Christ. Mostly as a preface to an admonition or warning, James uses this or the expanded phrase “my beloved brethren” some fifteen times in the letter (e.g., 1:2, 16, 19; 2:5, 14; 4:11; 5:7).
The basic principle is succinctly stated in verse 1, indicating that having genuine faith in the gospel of our glorious Lord Jesus Christ while holding an attitude of personal favoritism is contradictory and incompatible.
The phrase our glorious Lord Jesus Christ is, more literally, “our Lord Jesus Christ of the glory,” perhaps referring to God’s Shechinah glory (see Ex. 40:34; 1 Kings 8:11), the history of which James’s Jewish readers would have been very familiar. The idea is that we cannot hold the faith of Jesus Christ, who is the very presence and glory of God, and be partial. Jesus Himself was impartial (Matt. 22:16), as indicated by His humble birth, family, and upbringing in Nazareth, and His willingness to minister in Samaria and Galilee, regions held in contempt by the Jewish leaders.
In the Greek text, the phrase do not … with an attitude of favoritism is in the emphatic position, preceding hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ and thereby giving special force to the imperative admonition, which carries the idea of continuation, of not making a practice of favoritism, which has no place in the life of a faithful Christian. A few verses later (2:9), James makes clear that favoritism is not simply discourteous and disrespectful but is a serious sin.
Being partial is in total conflict with our salvation and with what Scripture teaches (cf. Lev. 19:15; Prov. 24:23; 28:21). If we are saved, we are children of God; and if we are His children, we should emulate Him. Paul declares categorically that “there is no partiality with God” (Rom. 2:11; cf. Lev. 19:15; Job 34:19; Prov. 24:23; 28:21; Eph. 6:9; Col. 3:25; 1 Pet. 1:17).
There is, of course, a proper special respect and honor that should be shown to the elderly and to those in authority, both in the church and in society in general. Through Moses, the Lord commanded, “You shall rise up before the grayheaded and honor the aged, and you shall revere your God; I am the Lord” (Lev. 19:32). Paul wrote the Thessalonians to “appreciate” and “esteem … very highly” their pastors (1 Thess. 5:12–13). “The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor,” Paul told Timothy, “especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching” (1 Tim. 5:17). Quoting Exodus 22:28, Paul apologized for unknowingly calling the high priest a “whitewashed wall” (Acts 23:3–5). Likewise,
Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. (Rom. 13:1–5)
Peter reiterates that admonition, saying, “Fear God, honor the king” (1 Pet. 2:17).
An attitude of personal favoritism translates the single Greek word prosōpolēmpsia, which has the literal meaning of lifting up someone’s face, with the idea of judging by appearance and on that basis giving special favor and respect. It pertains to judging purely on a superficial level, without consideration of a person’s true merits, abilities, or character. It is both interesting and significant that this word, along with the related noun prosōpolēmptēs (see Acts 10:34, “partiality”) and the verb prosōpolēmpteō (see James 2:9, “show partiality”) are found only in Christian writings. Perhaps that is because favoritism was such an accepted part of most ancient societies that it was assumed and not even identified, as it still is in many cultures today.
During His incarnation, Jesus was the glory and image of God in human form (2 Cor. 3:18; 4:4, 6; Phil. 2:6) and, like His Father, He showed no favoritism, a virtue even His enemies acknowledged. It made no difference to Jesus whether the one to whom He spoke or ministered was a wealthy Jewish leader or a common beggar, a virtuous woman or a prostitute, a high priest or a common worshiper, handsome or ugly, educated or ignorant, religious or irreligious, law-abiding citizen or criminal. His overriding concern was the condition of the soul. One day, John assures believers, “we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is” (1 John 3:2). And while we are on earth, we should act just as He did when He was on earth.
God’s impartiality is reflected even in the genealogies of His Son, Jesus Christ. In both Matthew and Luke, Jesus’ descendants are shown to include such notable and godly believers as Abraham, David, Solomon, and Hezekiah (Matt. 1:1–2, 5–7, 10; Luke 3:31–32, 34). But also included are many otherwise obscure and common people, including the incestuous Tamar, the former prostitute Rahab, and Ruth, from the outcast Moabites (Matt. 1:3, 5). Jesus was not born in the great holy city of Jerusalem but in Bethlehem, of historical importance to Jews as the city of David but not at all comparable to Jerusalem in glory, and of total insignificance to the rest of the world. Jesus grew up in the Galilean town of Nazareth, whose poor reputation among most Jews is reflected in Nathanael’s comment to Philip: “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46). On another occasion some people commented about Jesus, “Surely the Christ is not going to come from Galilee, is He?” (John 7:41). Still others said, “Search, and see that no prophet arises out of Galilee” (John 7:52). Onlookers at Pentecost “were amazed and astonished, saying, ‘Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans?’ ” (Acts 2:7).
The landowner who hired workers in Jesus’ parable sent them to begin working at various times throughout the day. At the end of the day the men discovered they were all being paid the same amount. But those who had worked all day complained that those who started work near the end of the day were paid the same as they were. The landowner “answered and said to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go, but I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with what is my own? Or is your eye envious because I am generous?’ ” Clearly recognizing the man’s right to do as he did, Jesus added, “So the last shall be first, and the first last” (Matt. 20:13–16). Those who are saved in the last minutes of their lives will enjoy the same glories in heaven as those who have known and served the Lord faithfully for many years. The time of their salvation, like their wealth, fame, intelligence, social status, and other worldly measurements, will not be factors in their heavenly blessings. This wonderful story shows God’s impartiality in giving all the same eternal life.
In another parable, when some of the invited guests did not bother to show up at the wedding banquet given for his son, the king ordered his servants to “ ‘go therefore to the main highways, and as many as you find there, invite to the wedding feast.’ Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered together all they found, both evil and good; and the wedding hall was filled with dinner guests” (Matt. 22:9–10). Jesus impartially calls all people to Himself; and if they have saving faith in Him, their being rich or poor, educated or ignorant, basically moral or grossly immoral, religious or irreligious, Jew or Gentile makes no difference (cf. Gal. 3:28). It was doubtless at least partly for that reason that “the common people heard Him gladly” (Mark 12:37 kjv). Jesus went on to illustrate that it is not the amount of money a person gives to the Lord’s work but the heart intent of the giver by which God judges. As He and the disciples sat down in the temple opposite the treasury, “a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, ‘Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on’ ” (Mark 12:42–44).
The gospel is a great leveler, available with absolute equality to everyone who believes in the Savior it proclaims. Jesus’ promise to all those who trust in Him is: “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matt. 11:29–30).
Tragically, many otherwise biblical and faithful churches today do not treat all their members the same. Frequently, those who are of a different ethnic background, race, or financial standing are not fully welcomed into fellowship. That ought not to be. It not only is a transgression of God’s divine law but is a mockery of His divine character.1
A Personal Exhortation: “Don’t show favoritism to the rich!” (2:1)
Commentary
1 Once again James addresses his readers as “brothers” (1:2, 16, 19; 2:5, 14; 3:1, 10, 12; 4:11; 5:7, 9–10, 12, 19; see discussion at 1:2) and exhorts them, as followers of Christ, not to show favoritism. The NIV’s translation “as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism” the NASB renders more literally with “do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism.” The idea of “holding the faith” has to do with a public posture of identifying oneself as a follower of Christ, and thus the NIV’s “as believers” serves the author’s intention. That Christ is “glorious” points to his manifestation of the presence of God, as seen in the shekinah glory of the OT (e.g., Ex 14:17–18; Ps 96:3; Isa 60:1–2), and passages in the NT relating to his exaltation and eschatological salvation. Consequently, James may use the qualifier here to point to Christ as the exalted Judge, “whose glory will be fully revealed in eschatological judgment” (so Davids, 107).
Therefore, one must not hold faith in him “with favoritism” (en prosōpolēmpsiais, GK 4721). The word translated “favoritism” speaks of the attitude of partiality by which one person is shown favor, or special consideration, over another. In the OT the concept often refers to unjust judgment against the vulnerable on the part of those in power (e.g., Ps 82:2; Pr 18:5; 24:23; 28:21; Mal 2:9–10; so Martin, 59; Nystrom, 114). Such an attitude is contrary to God’s way of dealing with people when he judges them (Ro 2:11; Eph 6:9; Col 3:25) and, therefore, inappropriate for his people. In the broader context of Leviticus 19:18, to which James turns momentarily (2:8), the law states, “Do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly” (Lev 19:15). By his exhortation in 2:1, James implies that a public commitment to Christ, the Lord of glory, is incompatible with an attitude that degrades a fellow believer or puts the person at a disadvantage, for such an attitude runs contrary to God’s law.2
1.Favouritism translates a Greek word that means, literally, ‘receiving the face’ (prosōlēmpsia). It is first used in the New Testament as a literal rendering of the Old Testament Hebrew language for partiality. To ‘receive the face’ is to make judgments and distinctions based on external considerations, such as physical appearance, social status or race. This God never does, as the Old Testament repeatedly affirms (cf. also Rom. 2:11; Eph. 6:9; Col. 3:25). And God’s people are to imitate him in this respect. In a passage that is echoed many times in the Old Testament and which touches on many of the same issues James is concerned about in 1:21–2:26, Moses reminds the Israelites that ‘the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing’ (Deut. 10:17–18). Even more pertinent may be Leviticus 19:15: ‘Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favouritism to the great, but judge your neighbour fairly.’ James cites the love command from this same context in verse 8; and concern about ‘judging’ also surfaces in this context (v. 4). The requirement laid upon believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ is no different from this basic Old Testament demand. A favouritism based on external considerations is inconsistent with faith in the One who came to break down the barriers of nationality, race, class, gender and religion. As Paul says, ‘Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all’ (Col. 3:11).
James 2:1 contains one of the only two explicit references to Jesus in this epistle (cf. also 1:1). We have seen in the Introduction that this circumstance has led some scholars to think that the letter is a Jewish document which has been ‘baptized’ through the addition of these two references. However, while James may not mention Jesus often, his letter, as we have seen, is deeply permeated with the spirit and teaching of Jesus. And while James may not teach a full-blown Christology, his description of Jesus here gives ample evidence of the depths of his Christological beliefs. For James, Jesus is ‘the Christ’, the Messiah promised to Israel as her deliverer and judge. He is ‘the Lord’, the one who occupies the supreme position at God’s right hand and who is in the process of bringing into submission all of God’s enemies (cf. Ps. 110:1). Moreover, the title Lord, used of Yahweh (Jehovah) throughout the Greek Old Testament, contains implications of the divine status of Jesus. Not only is Jesus ‘the Lord’, he is the glorious Lord. The niv has interpreted the phrase tēs doxēs (‘of glory’) as a descriptive genitive, basically equivalent to an adjective in English (see also hcsb; nlt; nasb; net; nab). This translation may convey what James intends here. Paul describes Jesus similarly in 1 Corinthians 2:8, and James is fond of this type of genitive construction. Another possibility, however, is to take tēs doxēs as an independent title of Jesus (an epexegetic genitive): ‘our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the glory’. However, the lack of New Testament parallels for the title is against the suggestion. Describing Jesus as our glorious Lord suggests particularly the heavenly sphere to which he has been exalted and from which he will come at the end of history to save and to judge (cf. 5:9). This reminder is particularly appropriate in a situation where Christians are giving too much ‘glory’ to human beings.3
1. My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism.
The appeal is personal: “my brothers.” James uses this address rather frequently in his epistle, but here he is more specific. He calls the brothers “believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.” The word believers is reminiscent of the beginning of the epistle, where James encourages the “brothers” to persevere in their faith (1:3). Now he tells them that they are believers in Jesus Christ. That is, he speaks of their personal subjective faith in Jesus—not of the faith that belongs to Jesus.
The writer places himself on a level with his readers and identifies with them when he says “our glorious Lord.” He and the readers look to Jesus, who dwells in glory.
What is the meaning of the expression our glorious Lord? In one of Paul’s epistles (1 Cor. 2:8) the expression Lord of glory occurs. This is identical to the reference to “the God of glory” in Stephen’s speech (Acts 7:2). Both titles are reminders of the glory of the Lord that settled upon and filled the tabernacle in the desert (Exod. 40:35). A possible interpretation is to take the words of glory and place them in apposition with Jesus Christ: “Jesus Christ, who is the glory, [that is,] of God.” This interpretation resembles John’s testimony about Jesus living among the disciples: “We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).
The descriptive adjective glorious in this passage demonstrates contrast between the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ and the glitter of earthly riches. The brothers should not look at their fellow man and judge him merely by external appearance. Therefore, James admonishes his readers, “don’t show favoritism.” Don’t look at a person’s face, clothing, wealth, and position! Don’t be biased in your judgment! “A just judge must not be influenced by personal prejudices, hopes, or fears, but by the single desire to do justice.”
In the next verses of this section, James spells out the reasons Christians should not show favoritism: if you do, you will “become judges with evil thoughts” (v. 4); God looks at the heart, not at the external appearance of man (v. 5}; God has given man the law of loving one’s neighbor as oneself (v. 8); and last, “mercy triumphs over judgment!” (v. 13).4
1 MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1998). James (pp. 97–100). Moody Press.
2 Guthrie, G. H. (2006). James. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews–Revelation (Revised Edition) (Vol. 13, pp. 231–232). Zondervan.
Dr. Alexander Whyte, one of the great expositors of the Word of God of days gone by, has said: “There is nothing like the Lamentations of Jeremiah in the whole world. There has been plenty of sorrow in every age, and in every land, but such another preacher and author, with such a heart for sorrow, has never again been born. Dante comes next to Jeremiah, and we know that Jeremiah was the great exile’s favorite prophet.
I, too, share the sympathetic avarice of Jeremiah’s pity. Do you ask what grief I have and for whose woes I am a mourner? I point you to the cross and to the Man of Sorrows there.
Lamentations 2:7 — The LORD who so detailed the instructions for the altar in Exodus 30 now has cast it off. “He hath fulfilled his word” (Lamentations 2:17).
Philemon 8-9 — Paul begs for love’s sake rather than declaring by his authority as an apostle.
Philemon 12 — Paul continues to put relationships above rights. Requesting not ordering (Philemon 8-9). Relinquishing his friend (Philemon 13). Demonstrating by presumably begging Onesimus to give up his freedom to build a relationship with a brother. This is what Paul had taught previously in 1 Timothy 6:2, specifically about believing masters.
Philemon 21 — According to tradition, Onesimus later became bishop of Ephesus and was martyred by stoning.
Psalm 101:3 — God wants purity in behavior (Psalm 101:2), in heart (Psalm 101:2), in sight (Psalm 101:3), in friends (Psalm 101:4), in speech (Psalm 101:5), and in attitude (Psalm 101:5).
Proverbs 26:20 — Let’s cut the fire out!
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And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.Isaiah 46:4
The year is very old, and here is a promise for our aged friends; yes, and for us all, as age creeps over us. Let us live long enough, and we shall all have hoar hairs; therefore we may as well enjoy this promise by the foresight of faith.
When we grow old our God will still be the I AM, abiding evermore the same. Hoar hairs tell of our decay, but He decayeth not. When we cannot carry a burden and can hardly carry ourselves, the Lord will carry us. Even as in our young days He carried us like lambs in His bosom, so will He in our years of infirmity.
He made us, and He will care for us. When we become a burden to our friends and a burden to ourselves, the Lord will not shake us off, but the rather He will take us up and carry and deliver us more fully than ever. In many cases the Lord give His servants a long and calm evening. They worked hard all day and wore themselves out in their Master’s service, and so He said to them, “Now rest in anticipation of that eternal Sabbath which I have prepared for you.” Let us not dread old age. Let us grow old graciously since the Lord Himself is with us in fullness of grace.
Life has many uncertainties, but one thing that is certain is everyone will one day leave this life. We will either die or, what I’m yearning for, we will be Raptured. If we face death, we can be certain that no matter what our faith is, we will meet God. Does that surprise you?
Christians have a wonderful blessing of salvation. We have understood that we are sinners and that our sin separates us from God. The blessing is that “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:16-17).
Jesus Christ came to offer salvation to a lost and fallen world. There are no works we can do, we cannot be “good enough,” and we can’t give enough money to charity to earn our salvation. It only takes faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. When you understand what Jesus did for you, repent and ask Him for salvation. There is no salvation without faith in Jesus.
“He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18).
Jesus died to offer salvation to everybody, but unless you accept His offer, you’ve condemned yourself. You will see God; however, you will not be allowed to enter into eternal peace but will face God’s judgment and an eternity in the lake of fire. Where will you be when the roll is called up yonder?
WHEN THE ROLL IS CALLED UP YONDER Written by James M. Black
When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound and time shall be no more And the morning breaks, eternal, bright and fair; When the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore, And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there
James Black was born in 1856 and wrote almost 1,500 songs. In addition to composing hymns, he taught Sunday school, was a choir leader, and edited many gospel songbooks. He used his musical talents to glorify God. Isn’t that what we all should be doing? Glorifying God with all our heart? He knew that a day was coming when he would stand before God. We all face that day. He was sure that when the roll is called up yonder, he would be there. I’m sure I will be there, and I hope you are sure.
The Apostle Paul knew that death for a Christian isn’t to be feared. He wrote to believers in Corinth, “Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:6-8).
We have to make the decision to accept Christ now while we are alive. At that moment, our salvation is secure. When a Christian dies, there is no “soul sleep” or purgatory, or any of the stories people make up. We are present with the Lord. Wow! A non-believer has no hope. They will go to a place of separation and await their meeting with God. That’s a place nobody should desire to go. When that person meets God, it will be at the White Throne Judgment, where you will be judged by your works. As I said before, there are no works good enough to get you into Heaven.
There is also an event coming that is a Blessed Hope for all Christians. That event is the Rapture. I know there are many Christians who don’t believe the Rapture is real, and I don’t argue the issue. I stand on Scripture. Paul wrote much about this event, and he wrote to the Corinthian believers:
“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:51:52).
When the trumpet sounds, whether you believe in the Rapture or deny it, if you are a Christian, you will be changed in the twinkling of an eye and be with the Lord. Prophecy is being fulfilled quickly, and that trumpet could sound at any moment. Be ready. The only way to be ready is to place your faith in Christ.
On that bright and cloudless morning when the dead in Christ shall rise, And the glory of his resurrection share; When his chosen ones shall gather to their home beyond the skies, And the Roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
We cannot know when our last moment on Earth will be. At any time, an automobile accident could claim your life, or a heart attack, or any number of things could happen. It’s very important to be sure you and your loved ones have repented and accepted Christ’s sacrifice for salvation. I’ve read Revelation chapter 4, and it will be beautiful with Jesus. People from every nation on Earth and every ethnic background will be there as long as they’ve accepted Christ.
John was given a look at what Heaven will look like. I can tell you that I will be so awestruck that I don’t think I will ever stop praising the Lord. John saw a door opened in Heaven and heard a trumpet:
“After this I looked, and behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit: and behold, a throne was set in heaven and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald” (Revelation 4:1-3).
It gets better from there. While we are living on this side of eternity, we have the opportunity to earn rewards. Be very clear on this point: we cannot earn salvation, but we can earn rewards. There’s a crown of victory, as described in 1 Corinthians 9:25. This crown is for running the Christian race. You qualify for it and all crowns by becoming saved. Then we train (study and apply Scripture) like an athlete to ensure that we are fit to run our best race for Christ. Christians should want to do more for Christ and give Him our best. Put the lust of the flesh behind you and move forward to a life of victory through Christ.
Then there’s the soul winner crown. Paul knew the joy of bringing the lost to Christ and knew there is a crown for those who share the Gospel. He wrote about it in Philippians 4:1 and 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20. Paul is still earning that crown. Because of his joy in sharing the Gospel and writing letters, many people have come to salvation through his witness since he died. There’s a crown of righteousness mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:8. This isn’t self-righteousness but righteousness that only comes through Jesus. Paul said he would win this crown as well as all of us who long for His appearing. Do you long for Jesus to call us Home?
It would be a good idea to get out there and earn some crowns. Win some souls for Christ and start living your life to please God. If you continue in faith while facing troubles, you will earn a crown. This is the crown of life promised to all who love Him mentioned in James 1:12.
Those who have been called into ministry can qualify for the crown of Glory described in 1 Peter 5:1-4. There are some very famous preachers who may be disappointed if they don’t earn this crown. Many seem to be in ministry for their own glory and push erroneous doctrines – doctrines of demons. I’m thinking of the name-it-and-claim-it group, or those who only tickle ears and don’t teach all of Scripture, or twist Scripture to justify sin so as not to upset anybody sitting in the pews. Are they saved? That’s up to God, but they will certainly lose crowns.
Let us labor for the Master from the dawn till setting sun; Let us talk of all his wondrous love and care. Then when all of life is over and our work on earth is done, And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
At times, we focus so much on one part of our life in Christ and forget other important things. We must use our skills and our voices to honor God. When you wake up in the morning, thank Him for the day ahead and for the opportunities He will place in your path. Then, get on with serving Him. Do you need to go to work? Be a beacon of light for the Lord. Are you retired? You have even more of the day to share Christ with others. Are you a student? Be sure that you don’t allow secular teachings to undermine God’s truth.
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15).
Be ready to give an answer about Jesus. Earn crowns by living to please Him. Be sure your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. That way, when the roll is called up yonder, you’ll be there.
When the roll is called up yonder When the roll is called up yonder When the roll is called up yonder I’ll be there.
Michele Bachmann joins Jan and states that America is at a tipping point in her history as we are on the precipice of tyranny. Some left-leaning evangelicals are fine with this. And because Christians think they are only citizens of Heaven, many will not even engage and surrender by default. Yet the stakes have never been higher.
Rev. Franklin Graham exhorted attendees at the 11th Hour Faith Leaders Meeting, an event for faith leaders and others, that God is central to saving the United States from its current state of disarray.
Graham, the son of evangelist Billy Graham, began his remarks in Concord, North Carolina, on Monday by asking, “Have you ever thought that our country would be in such trouble? The only hope for this country is God.”
“I come here tonight as a private citizen and as a preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ,” he said.
Graham then briefly shared the gospel message of salvation through faith in Christ’s death on the cross.
“The only hope is if we confess our sins and turn and believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,” he said.
Graham then shifted to talking about Trump, who was in attendance, saying that the Republican nominee holds the best political rallies in American history, with massive crowds and lots of energy.
“However, rallies and positive poll numbers are not going to win this election. It’s going to be God. There’s a spiritual element that’s at work here. There are dark forces that are arrayed against this man,” the preacher asserted.
“They’ve tried to put him in prison,” Graham continued. “They’ve tried to assassinate him twice. He’s attacked every day in the media. And the only hope for Donald J. Trump and our nation is God.”
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The faith leader then quoted from the Bible’s Psalm 20, saying, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.”
With those brief remarks, Graham invited those in the room to stand and pray aloud individually for Trump, as they felt led.
“Pray that God would give him wisdom, that God would protect him, that God would guide and direct his each and every step, and that God would bless this nation once again,” Graham said.
Trump later took to the stage as Lee Greenwood sang “God Bless the USA.”
The former president pledged if elected to set up a commission “immediately” to investigate anti-Christian bias in government.
“Americans of faith are not a threat to our country. Americans of faith are the soul of our country,” he said, prompting a standing ovation.
Dutch Sheets, who hosts the weekday podcast “Give Him 15” was among the faith leaders in attendance.
He reported on his program Wednesday, “When the sound of fervent prayer arose loudly over the gathering, followed by Graham’s own heartfelt prayer, I knew I was at the right rally.”
Graham’s message is certainly timely. Hopefully millions will take it to heart and pray for Trump, the election and our country.
Last week, my article was titled “Not An Isolated Incident.”
The title came from a letter signed by signed by 85 retired U.S. generals and admirals who said:
7 (the Hamas attack on Israel) is not an isolated incident but one front in a much larger global civilizational struggle.
It is my belief (and I think it is theirs):
That the Hamas attack on Israel is part of an effort by radical Islamic terrorists to create a one-world government and religion under a Shiite Muslim ruler.
That Israel – the so-called Little Satan – is not just fighting for its existence.
Israel is also fighting for the existence of the U.S. – the so-called Great Satan – and the rest of the world.
On Oct. 10, 2024, RAIR Foundation USA posted an article by Investigative Journalist Amy Mek that said:
On Monday (Oct. 7, 2024, the one-year anniversary of the Oct 7 attack), a group of imams from across the U.S. published an open letter endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris.
But this endorsement isn’t simply about political preference—it’s a calculated move within a broader strategy to further an Islamic expansionist agenda in American politics.
The imams’ endorsement of Harris is just the latest move in a larger game of political chess aimed at embedding Islamic governance into the fabric of the United States.
If left unchecked, this growing alliance between Islamic leaders and the far left will threaten both U.S. security and the freedoms Americans hold dear. The ultimate goal isn’t just political influence—it’s a transformation of the United States into a society where Islamic law dominates, and the very fabric of American life is fundamentally altered.
Have you got this?:
85 retired U.S. generals and admirals recently posted a letter that said Oct. 7 is not an isolated incident but one front in a much larger global civilizational struggle (a fight for the existence of the U.S.).
A group of Muslim leaders in the U.S. posted a letter endorsing Kamala Harris, and Mek says their ultimate goal is a transformation of the United States into a society where Islamic law dominates and the very fabric of American life is fundamentally altered.
(My opinion: The upcoming election won’t stop Islam from trying to transform the world into a radical Islamic caliphate, but the U.S. Imams are supporting Harris because they believe they will make more and faster progress under a Harris presidency than they will under a Trump presidency.)
(FYI: Some church members in my area are meeting for prayer on the night before the election not to pray that the Republicans will win or that the Democrats will win but to pray for God’s will to be done.)
Here is a link to Mek’s exceptionally long but excellent and important article:
Here are some recent articles that seem to indicate that the end of the age is near:
One, on Oct. 17, 2024, the Times of Israel reported that Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, confirmed that Israeli troops have killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. Katz said, “This is a great military and moral achievement for Israel and a victory for the entire free world against the evil axis of radical Islam led by Iran.”
(More: It was reported that Sinwar was killed by tank fire in Rafah on Oct. 16, 2024, and Israeli troops found his body on a pile of rubble in a destroyed building when they inspected the scene on Oct. 17th. Troops waited a day before inspecting the scene while specialists made sure the building wasn’t booby-trapped. Officials confirmed Sinwar’s death by matching his teeth to his dental records. They are running DNA and other tests to confirm it. No hostages were found, but a negotiator for Hamas said the hostages will not be released until Israel stops attacking Gaza and withdraws its forces.)
(More: Israel’s Defense Min. turned to Scripture where God said, “You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall before you;” see Lev. 26:7. Later, he said Sinwar didn’t die as a commander. Sinwar died beaten, persecuted, and on the run.)
(More: Israel National News reported that Sinwar died wounded and alone.)
(More: Netanyahu said this is the beginning of the end of Hamas. He urged those holding Israelis captive in Gaza to lay down their weapons and return the hostages. He promised that those who do that will be allowed to go out and live.)
(More: Pres. Biden said this is a good day for Israel, and for the United States, and for the rest of the world.)
(More: Vice Pres. Harris said justice has been served, and the United States and the entire world are better off as a result.)
(FYI: Yahya Sinwar had a brother named Mohammed Sinwar, and there is speculation that Mohammed Sinwar is the heir apparent to Yahya.)
(My opinion: When Sinwar ordered the invasion of Israel, he had no idea that he would die (right arm blown off below his elbow and then shot in the head) slightly more than a year later. A renowned leader – or anyone else – mortally wounded, suffering, knowing that he will likely die, dying alone and surrounded by rubble like Sinwar is a sad picture, but dying without Jesus as one’s Saviour is worse. Yes, he was evil, perhaps demon-possessed, but his eternal suffering will be worse.)
(My opinion: Biden, Harris, and many world leaders pressured Israel to not attack Rafah. Sinwar was spotted – but not identified – walking the streets of Rafah and entering the building where he was killed. Several world leaders are now saying Sinwar’s death is good for the world and the Palestinians. But if Netanyahu had yielded to the pressure from Biden, Harris, and those world leaders, Sinwar would probably still be alive, crushing dissent in Gaza, beating and killing Palestinians, stealing their humanitarian aid, brainwashing their children, etc.)
(More: On Oct. 17, 2024, Israel said it will keep Sinwar’s body at a secret location to be used as a bargaining chip in a hostage deal.)
(My opinion: The U.S., which can’t seem to win a war, needs to learn from Israel who can’t lose a war because Jehovah is helping them.)
Two, concerning wars and rumors of wars: on Oct. 17, 2024, U.S. long-range B52 stealth bombers struck 5 Houthi underground bunkers and weapons storage locations in Yemen. The U.S. has not commented on how much damage was done but said it is not likely that anyone was killed.
Three, concerning a new world currency and a cashless society: at the upcoming BRICS summit on Oct. 22-24, 2024, Russia is planning to ask the BRICS nations (9 member nations and 15 other nations) to collaborate with it to overhaul the global financial system and end the dominance of the U.S. dollar.
Their new system would use blockchain technology to store and transfer digital tokens backed by national currencies.
Digital money requires a digital I.D. that can be tracked.
Four, concerning the upcoming election: on Oct. 16, 2024, Michael Snyder said if Trump wins, then Kamala Harris will oversee the certification of his win.
Five, concerning anti-Semitism and all nations being against Israel at the end of the age: prophecy expert Amir Tsarfati wrote:
In a surprise to no one, the United Nations is actively working against Israel again in a war zone.
In Gaza, it was in the guise of UNRWA, a “humanitarian” branch of the U.N., which was forced to admit that some of its members helped Hamas during and after the October 7 massacre.
Now, in Lebanon, it’s the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) who are actively helping Hezbollah by allowing themselves to serve as human shields.
(More: On Oct. 20, 2024, a former U.N. peacekeeper who served in the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNSTO) said UNIFIL is “totally subject to Hezbollah.”
(More: On Oct. 21, 2024, Israel released footage of Sinwar’s bunker in Khan Younis. Sinwar’s kitchen was abundantly stocked with provisions bearing the United Nations Relief Works Agency (UNRWA) logo.)
Six, concerning the Biden administration’s relationship with Israel: on Oct. 18, 2024, an Iranian-linked Telegram channel in the Middle East posted 2 classified documents outlining Israel’s preparations for a potential strike on Iran.
According to the Iranian-linked Telegram channel, it received the classified documents from U.S. intelligence sources. U.S. intelligence officials did not deny that the documents are authentic. This is just the latest of several instances of U.S. officials leaking information to Iran.
(More: On Oct. 20, 2024, House Speaker Mike Johnson confirmed that the U.S. is now investigating the leak, so the story is true, but experience shows that the U.S. investigating itself never accomplishes very much.)
(Question: The goal of Islam is to ultimately transform the world – including the U.S. – into a global Islamic caliphate. So why is the Biden-Harris administration releasing billions of dollars to Iran, demanding that Israel not attack Iran’s oil wells and nuclear facilities, and leaking classified information on Israel’s preparations for an attack on Iran to the Iranians?)
(Question: Iran recently tried to assassinate Israeli Prime Min. Netanyahu; the U.S. claims that Israel is our most important ally in the Middle East; the U.S. knows that Iran is funding and arming terrorists – Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis – so why is the U.S. leaking classified information to Iran?)
(Question: If the U.S. is going to leak classified information to Iran, how can Israel or any other nation on earth trust the U.S.?)
(More: On Oct. 22, 2024, a senior Pentagon source said an Iranian American working in the office of the U.S. Sec. of Defense leaked the classified information. The employee has been accused of leaking information to Iran in the past, but another Pentagon source said the employee is not a person of interest at this time.)
Seven, concerning anti-Semitism in the U.S. and America becoming a curse to Israel: the Biden administration has threatened to embargo arms shipments to Israel in 30 days if Israel doesn’t let the U.N. deliver more humanitarian aid to the Palestinians.
Tsarfati speculated that Israel’s conversation with the U.S. went something like this:
Israel: “You realize that Hamas steals all the humanitarian aid, then sells the little they don’t use themselves to the people.”
Washington: “Not our problem.”
Israel: “The only reason people are at risk is that Hamas uses their own people as human shields.”
Washington: “Not our problem.”
Israel: “Besides, there shouldn’t be any civilians there anyway. We’ve warned them over and over to get out of there because we have to come in to reach Hamas.”
Washington: “Interesting. Not our problem.”
Israel does not have enough weapons (and Israel can’t produce enough weapons fast enough) for an all-out war with Hezbollah and Iran. Israel cannot risk getting into an all-out war with a U.S. arms embargo going on. The U.N., U.S., E.U., and others seem to be on the side of Israel’s enemies.
(My opinion: Israel is being forced to rely on God, and that is enough.)
(More: Hamas terrorists murdered 46 Americans and took 12 as hostages on Oct. 7, 2023. Since that time, the Biden administration has given more than $1 billion in aid to the Palestinians who support what the terrorists did.)
(More: On Oct. 21, 2024, it was reported that a Wall Street Journal says Sinwar told Hamas negotiators outside Gaza to reject a hostage deal because the Biden-Harris administration was beginning to turn on Israel.)
Eight, concerning an increase in the frequency and intensity of natural disasters at the end of the age (and the sea and waves roaring; Luke 21:25): while hurricane Milton was battering Florida on Oct. 9, 2024, 15 tornadoes (the most one-day total in recorded history) struck.
This was more than double the old record of 7.
(More: On Oct. 21, 2024, it was reported that Helene and Milton were 2 of the most destructive hurricanes in history, and each one caused more than $50 billion worth of damage. If it is true, the damage is historic. The Florida citrus crop has been severely impacted.)
Nine, concerning the Battle of Gog and Magog (Russia, Turkey, Iran, and others invading Israel in the latter years and latter days): Israel believes a suicide bomber accidentally blew himself up near Tel Aviv on Aug. 18, 2024. An investigation of the bomber and the incident found that the bomber was a member of a Hamas group in Israel that is funded and directed by Turkey. The group was operating in Israel with Turkish President Erdogan’s blessings, and several members of the group have been arrested.
(More: On Oct. 17, 2024, Russia warned Israel to not even consider an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities.)
(More: On Oct. 17, 2024, in reference to Sinwar’s death, Iran said its proxies will continue to fight Israel.)
Ten, concerning the desire of religious Jews to rebuild the Temple: on Oct. 18, 2024, it was reported that Jewish priests dressed in Biblically mandated clothing recently ascended the Temple Mount, prayed, and recited the priestly blessing over Jewish visitors there.
(More: On Oct. 20, 2024, a replica of the Ark of the Covenant made to Torah specifications with acacia wood overlaid with pure gold was displayed at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem. It took 17 volunteers from several countries three-and-a-half years to build the replica ark. The exterior pictures Moses’ prophecy at the burning bush, the parting of the Red Sea, the clouds and pillar of fire that protected and guided the Jews in the desert, and the giving of the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai.)
Here is a link to the article with pictures and more details:
Eleven, concerning a departing from the faith at the end of the age: on Oct. 18, 2024, when Kamala Harris started promoting abortion at an indoor campaign rally in Wisconsin, 2 Christian students interrupted her by shouting, “Christ is King” and “Jesus is Lord.” One of the students held up a cross that he was wearing around his neck.
Harris responded, “You guys are at the wrong rally. No, I think you meant to go to the smaller one down the street.” The students were heckled, mocked, and escorted out of the building.
Twelve, concerning the existence of believers at the end of the age: on Oct. 20, 2024, it was reported that J.D Vance was recently holding a campaign rally in Wisconsin, and he was interrupted by an attendee who shouted, “Jesus is King.”
Vance responded, “That’s right. Jesus is King.”
When asked about it, Vance said he was met with applause.
Thirteen, concerning potential corruption in the upcoming presidential election: on Oct. 17, 2024, it was reported that there are fewer than 8 million voting-age people in Michigan (a vital battleground state) but about 8.4 million people are registered to vote.
The Republican National Committee is suing the Democratic Sec. of State for refusing to clean up the list as required by state law.
(More: On Oct. 21, 2024, it was reported that 31,000 mail-in ballots have been requested at ineligible addresses in Wisconsin. According to the report, this is happening in many states, but it is worse in swing states. This appears to be a coordinated effort to cast thousands of votes in the name of people who are deceased, have permanently left the state, etc. The question is, who is doing it?)
(More: On Oct. 21, 2024, it was reported that a non-partisan election integrity group has filed 9 federal lawsuits to try to secure honest elections.)
(More: On Oct. 23, 2024, it was reported that a Democrat operative in Montana has been videoed by a surveillance camera tampering with an election ballot drop box. The video has been turned over to county law enforcement officials.)
Fourteen, concerning wars and rumors of wars: on Oct. 20, 2024, Gateway Pundit reported that Zelensky told the West to admit Ukraine into NATO immediately or Ukraine will build a nuclear weapon for use against Russia. It was reported that Ukraine voluntarily gave up its nuclear weapons in the 1990s.
According to the article, many people don’t believe Ukraine can build a nuclear weapon in a matter of weeks, but they believe Zelensky is trying to scare NATO into doing more to defend Ukraine against Russia.
Fifteen, concerning world government and a borderless world: on Oct. 21, 2024, it was reported that a caravan of about 2,000 immigrants is headed to the U.S. border to get across before Trump is elected.
Sixteen, concerning world government: on Oct. 23, 2024, Vladimir Putin told the BRICS Summit an irreversible multipolar world order is being formed.
(My opinion: This isn’t the prophesied New World Order, but it may be a big step in that direction. Multipolar indicates several groups of nations, and I am expecting 10 to emerge at the end of the age.)
Seventeen, concerning a new world currency: several nations are in the process of trying to dethrone the dollar right now as I am writing this.
The threat is so great, former Pres. Trump said in September:
We will keep the U.S. dollar as the world’s reserve currency, and it is currently under major siege; many countries are leaving the dollar.
They’re not gonna leave the dollar with me.
I’ll say, “You leave the dollar, you’re not doing business with the United States because we’re gonna put 100% tariffs on your goods.”
My opinion: Time will tell, but we know that there will be a one-world trackable currency during the Tribulation Period.)
Here is my daily update on the Israel-Hamas war:
Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024 (Day 376) The three hundred and twenty-first day of the resumed war. Day 154 of the attack on Rafah.
Netanyahu said Israel has found state-of-the-art Russian weapons at captured Hezbollah bases in Lebanon.
The Palestinian Authority (P.A.) is trying to have Israel expelled from the U.N. General Assembly.
Israel assassinated the Hezbollah commander in southern Lebanon.
Israel struck an underground facility that stored Hezbollah strategic weapons.
Sinwar may be dead.
Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024 (Day 377) The three hundred and twenty-second day of the resumed war. Day 155 of the attack on Rafah.
Concerning Sinwar’s death, Hezbollah vowed to escalate the war in Lebanon.
Friday, Oct. 18, 2024 (Day 378) The three hundred and twenty-third day of the resumed war. Day 156 of the attack on Rafah.
Israeli troops destroyed an underground Hezbollah command and control center.
Israel’s military believes it has killed at least 1500 Hezbollah terrorists since the start of the conflict.
The U.S. said Hamas, as it is today, is incapable of repeating the Oct. 7 attack.
Israel warned Hamas not to kill the remaining hostages.
Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024 (Day 379) The three hundred and twenty-fourth day of the resumed war. Day 157 of the attack on Rafah.
Hezbollah sent a drone to assassinate Netanyahu at his home, but he and his wife were not there; the drone hit nearby, did minor damage and cracked a bedroom window, but no one was hurt. An Israeli official said, “Iran tried to assassinate the prime minister of Israel.”
Israel said Iran will pay a price for trying to assassinate Netanyahu.
Israel dropped leaflets on southern Gaza that contained a picture of Sinwar’s body and said Hamas will no longer rule Gaza.
Following the death of Sinwar, the highest living member of Hamas met with officials of Iran and Turkey in Turkey.
Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024 (Day 380) The three hundred and twenty-fifth day of the resumed war. Day 158 of the attack on Rafah.
Hezbollah fired 160 rockets from Lebanon into Israel. Several people have been injured, but it is too early to say how many.
The new head of Hezbollah in Lebanon has moved to Iran for fear that Israel will assassinate him.
Tens of thousands of Jews gathered at the Western Wall in Jerusalem to pray for the safety of IDF soldiers and security personnel, the quick return of the hostages, the recovery of the wounded, and peace and security (peace and safety) for Israel.
Monday, Oct. 21, 2024 (Day 381) The three hundred and twenty-sixth day of the resumed war. Day 159 of the attack on Rafah.
Yesterday and today, Israeli jets attacked an illegal banking group in a Beirut suburb 11 times because they were laundering money to finance Hezbollah.
Captured Hezbollah soldiers told Israeli interrogators Hezbollah is collapsing.
Israel estimates that they have already destroyed 70% of Hezbollah’s firepower.
The THAAD battery that the U.S. sent to Israel to shoot down medium-range missiles from Iran has been deployed and is operating.
Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024 (Day 382) The three hundred and twenty-seventh day of the resumed war. Day 160 of the attack on Rafah.
Israel struck Hezbollah’s naval base at Beirut. The base’s headquarters, ammunition depots, underground infrastructure, fast vessels, and other assets were destroyed.
S. Sec. of State Blinken arrived in Israel on his 11th trip to push for a ceasefire, but no one is interested.
Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024 (Day 383) The three hundred and twenty-eighth day of the resumed war. Day 161 of the attack on Rafah.
S. Sec. of State Blinken warned Israel not to escalate its war with Iran and Hezbollah.
Israel assassinated 3 more Hezbollah commanders.
FYI: God does not send anyone to Hell (all of us are born with a sin nature and destined to go to Hell because we sin), but God has provided a way (Jesus) for everyone to go to Heaven (and He is the only way to get there; John 14:6).
Finally, are you Rapture Ready?
If you want to be rapture ready and go to heaven, you must be born again (John 3:3). God loves you, and if you have not done so, sincerely admit that you are a sinner; believe that Jesus is the virgin-born, sinless Son of God who died for the sins of the world, was buried, and raised from the dead; ask Him to forgive your sins, cleanse you, come into your heart and be your Saviour; then tell someone that you have done this.
Ecuador’s energy crisis deepens amid historic drought and extended blackouts Ecuador is facing a severe energy crisis caused by the worst drought in six decades drastically reducing water levels in reservoirs powering hydroelectric plants that supply over 70% of the nation’s electricity. Since October 23, 2024, power cuts have expanded from 8 to 14 hours per day, impacting cities like Quito, Guayaquil, and Cuenca, and causing economic losses of about $12 million per hour.
New York City mayor defends Trump on eve of massive rally there, scolds Dems for ‘fascist’ smears Mayor Eric Adams told reporters he does not believe former President Trump is a fascist, while defending the Republican presidential nominee the day before a major rally at Madison Square Garden. “I’ve heard those terms hurled at me by some political leaders in the city, using terms like Hitler and fascist,” Adams said. “My answer is no. I know what Hitler has done, and I know what a fascist regime looks like.”
EU President Likens Free Speech To Infectious Disease EU President Ursula von der Leyen just joined the ranks of former Senator John Kerry and other globalist ghouls in declaring war on free speech by perversely proclaiming that the EU citizenry needs to be “vaccinated against disinformation.”
McDonald’s Stock Hammered In Worst Week Since Pandemic Amid E. Coli Outbreak McDonald’s announced Friday that it has “indefinitely” halted onion sourcing from Taylor Farms’ Colorado plant as the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention investigate a severe E. coli outbreak. The outbreak has already sickened at least 75 people and resulted in one death.
Iran Tells UN Attack from Israel Must ‘Not Go Unanswered’ Iran’s top diplomat has condemned Israel’s unprecedented attack on multiple military sites across the Islamic Republic and has asserted Tehran’s right to respond to the latest escalation amid a year-long Middle East conflict.
UK surgeon describes new aggressive cancers with a different biology after rollout of covid injections Mr. James Royle, who is a consultant NHS surgeon, described what he and his team have been witnessing since the mass covid injection campaign began. “Cancers being observed are in all ages. It is my assertion, shared by many expert oncologists and clinical colleagues around the world, that the cancers we are seeing are extremely aggressive, and they are of a different biology,” he said.
Covid vaccine death cult takes another victim: Ontario vaccine injured man is killed using MAiD An Ontario man is the first to be euthanized due to a condition labeled as “post-vaccine syndrome.” The man, referred to as “Mr. A,” had multiple mental illnesses and experienced physical decline following three covid mRNA injections…Dr. Wiliam Makis predicted this would happen. “Since the vaccine cult is a death cult, it was always going to go this way for the vaccine injured,” he said. “The next step will be scaling up the MAiD killings, as hundreds of thousands of Canadians are severely covid-19 vaccine injured.”
President Donald J. Trump, 45th President of the United States of America, will deliver remarks at a rally in New York, New York, on Sunday, October 27, 2024, at 5:00PM EDT. Watch LIVE on RSBN starting at 10:00 a.m. ET.
Where were you when you found out that the “least popular” president in history was likely to be the first Republican to win the popular vote since Bush’s second attempt?
Former President Donald Trump is returning to the city of his birth to host a mega-rally at the iconic Madison Square Garden on Sunday. Here is everything you need to know before the blockbuster affair just nine days before Election Day. When is the rally? The 45th president is scheduled to deliver remarks at 5…
As shepherds of the church of God, elders are entrusted with the responsibility of protecting the sheep. Before the Apostle Paul departed for Jerusalem, he gave the elders of Ephesus detailed instructions on how to guard against the dangers that threaten the flock. In this sermon, R.C. Sproul walks us through this striking farewell address that still applies to church leaders today.
Harris and Walz, with help from their Democrat allies, have almost successfully hidden their radicalism, but it’s there for all to see if one knows where to look.
Everything on earth is on the move; time knows nothing of rest. The solid earth is a rolling ball, and the great sun itself is a star obediently fulfilling its course around some greater luminary. Tides move the sea; winds stir the breezy ocean; friction wears the rock: Change and death rule everywhere. The sea is not a miser’s storehouse for a wealth of waters, for as by one force the waters flow into it, by another they are lifted from it.
Men are born to die: Everything is hurry, worry, and vexation of spirit. Friend of the unchanging Jesus, what a joy it is to reflect upon your changeless heritage, your sea of bliss that will be forever full since God Himself shall pour eternal rivers of pleasure into it. We seek an abiding city beyond the skies, and we shall not be disappointed. The passage before us should teach us to be grateful.
The ocean is a great receiver, but it is also a generous distributor. What the rivers bring, it returns to the earth in the form of clouds and rain. The man who takes everything but makes no return is out of joint with the universe. To give to others is still sowing seed for ourselves. He who is so good a steward as to be willing to use his substance for his Lord shall be entrusted with more. Friend of Jesus, are you rendering to Him in proportion to the benefit you receive? Have you been given a great deal? Where is your fruit? Have you done all you might? Can you not do more?
To be selfish is to be wicked. Suppose the ocean gave up none of its watery treasure; it would bring ruin upon our race. God forbid that any of us should follow the ungenerous and destructive policy of living for ourselves. Jesus did not please Himself. All fullness dwells in Him, but from His fullness we have all received. Oh, to be like Jesus and no longer live for ourselves!
Devotional material is taken from “Morning and Evening,” written by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and updated by Alistair Begg. Copyright (c) 2003, Good News Publishers and used by Truth For Life with written permission. Today’s Bible Reading material is taken from McCheyne Bible reading plan and used by Truth For Life with permission. Scripture quotations are taken from Holy Bible: English Standard Version, copyright (c) 2001, Good News Publishers.
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